Everest Organics said that it has started making the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API), the generic version of Merck’s experimental drug molnupiravir to treat mild and moderate Covid-19 patients

The company said in a statement that the drug is being developed at lab scale for the first-line treatment of Covid-19 in adults.

Dr. Srikakarlapudi Sirisha, Chief Executive Officer, EOL - New Product Development said that "After the successful development and commercialisation of various Covid-19 drugs, such as Oseltamivir, Remdesivir, Posaconazole, Everest Organics Limited is on its path of expansion of this portfolio and hence developed an additional Covid-19 treatment API in that segment.

'Molnupiravir' is an API that reduces the risk of hospitalisation and death by around 50% for patients with mild or moderate cases of Covid. The APl, molnupiravir is administered orally and works by inhibiting the replication of the coronavirus inside the body.

Everest is planning and preparing to be an active player in this segment.